ALCR05288: Detailed Agricultural Land Classification Survey Maps and Reports, 1989-1999

Original paper maps and survey reports for detailed Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) site surveys conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food between 1989 and 1999. The data includes scanned maps at scales from 1:5,000 to 1:50,000, survey reports, and for some sites, unedited soil sample point data and soil pit descriptions. It is provided by Natural England and contains Ordnance Survey data.

Use Cases

• Classify agricultural land capability based on the detailed grading methodology described in the survey reports.
• Analyze historical soil quality and land use suitability based on the soil sample point data and pit descriptions.
• Map land classification grades, including the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, for specific sites.
• Conduct geospatial analysis of land quality using the scanned original maps at varying scales.

Strengths

• Data follows the current grading methodology as described in the official 'Agricultural Land Classification of England and Wales' guidelines.
• Includes the subdivision of Grade 3 into subgrades 3a and 3b, providing finer detail for moderate quality land.
• Some surveys include unedited sample point soils data and soil pit descriptions.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (survey), Natural England (provider), Ordnance Survey (base mapping).

Collection Method

Detailed site surveys with original paper maps and reports, later scanned.

Time Range

1989 to 1999

Freshness

Survey data covers the period 1989-1999; last update for the dataset is unknown.

Geography

Specific sites in England, including Sherfield English and Birchwood Quarry.